Cimicifuga racemosa, black cohosh

Please note

From 13th September 2011, this page will not be revised. Changes
to information about this plant will only appear on the
Actaea racemosa page.

Summary

Though used by Native Americans to treat a wide variety of,
mostly female, conditions, its use as a herbal treatment for the hot
flushes of the menopause may be damaging. The stunning white
flower spikes make it an attractive plant for the garden though it
is best viewed at a distance because of its smell.

Family

Ranunculaceae

Meaning of the Name

Cimicifuga
From ‘cimex’, a bug, and ‘fugo’, ‘to force to flee’. The
Linnaean name for this plant derives from its reputation for being
an insect repellent. This plant gives an example of the difference
between Linnaeus and the Linnaean system. Linnaeus classified this
plant as Actaea but it was later placed in the Cimicifuga genus.
Recent gene studies have shown that Linnaeus was right all along.

racemosa
Has flowers in racemes, that is on short stems from a longer stem.

Common Names and Synonyms

How Poisonous, How Harmful?

No alkaloids have been isolated but it contains a mixture of
resins which have been called cimicifugin, macrotin, or macrotyn.
Also, contains an oestrogenic sedative hence its use for menstrual
and labour pain.

Even small doses can cause headaches and larger doses can lead to
vertigo, impaired vision, pupillary dilatation, nausea, vomiting and
bradycardia. Some reports suggest it can cause delirium tremens.

It is to be avoided during pregnancy as it may cause miscarriage.

New information on the possible extent of liver damage which this
plant may cause has led to warnings having to be placed on labels of
herbal remedies which are supposed to assist with the menopause.
Following concerns about possible problems with HRT drugs, the use
of black cohosh had increased significantly in the last couple of
years but, anyone who believes they may be susceptible to liver
damage is warned against using it.

Cimicifuga racemosa

Incidents

There have been reports of liver damage resulting from use of
black cohosh but there are those who say the evidence is weak and,
in the reported cases, not enough was done to confirm that the plant
extract was the cause of the hepatitis.

Folklore and Facts

Used by Native Americans to treat female complaints, rheumatic
conditions and snakebites.

Used as an insect repellent.

Tea made from the roots if sprinkled around a room will prevent
evil spirits from entering.

Supposed to counter the effect of rattlesnake bite.

It has an unpleasant smell which is said to keep insects at bay.

Publication, in November 2008, of research suggesting that
black cohosh, taken as a herbal remedy, can result in the spread
of breast cancer to the lungs resulted in a radio debate between
a doctor and a herbal specialist. The herbal specialist fell
back on the old line of 'it's been used for hundreds of years'
but was sadly not asked to produce the reports of the double
blind, placebo controlled trials of black cohosh conducted in
the 17th century. Because, of course, there are no such studies
and use of all herbal remedies is based on purely anecdotal
evidence which can not be systematically verified.